Buttered Tea

酥油茶

Buttered tea is the most welcomed drink Tibetan people serve their guests, which is usually served with Zanba (a staple of Tibetan people, a mixture of fried barely and bean powder). Containing tannin acid, brick tea stimulates the secretion of gastric acid which fastens the process of digestion. It has to go with ghee or milk to allay hunger. Its high calorie can provide enough power man needs as the most favorable drink in Shangri-La.

It is said that there were two hostile tribes by the name of Xia and Nu in the Tibetan-inhabited area in Shangri-La district. Nevertheless, Memeso, daughter of the chief of Xia and Wenpadan, son of the leader of Nu, fell in love, which is a taboo to both tribes, so the chief of Xia had Wenpadan murdered.During his cremation Memeso jumped into the burning fire and died with his lover. After the young couple died, Memeso became the leaves of the local tea plants and Wenpadan turned into the salt in Qiangtang Salt Lake. Since then buttered tea symbolizes the reunion of the tea and the salt.